Improvement in clock-cases



"S. 'E. THOMAS.

CLOCK-CASE.

Patented Qct. 24,1876.

UNITED STATES PATENT OEEIoE.

SETH E. THOMAS, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGNOR TO SETH THOMAS CLOCK COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

IMPROVEMENT IN CLOCK-CASES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 183,725, dated October 24, 1876; application filed September 28, 1876.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SETH E. THOMAS, of New York city, in the State of New York, have in vented certain new and usefulImprovements relating to Olocks or Time-Pieces, of which the following is a specification:

I make a clock of conveniently small size, with a case mainly of metal and a wood back, which is peculiarly adapted to be very tastily made, with little labor or expense, and to serve either to stand on a shelf or table, or to hang on a wall. The works need involve no novelty; but I employ peculiar provisions for winding and setting, for adjusting the regulation, and for suspending the clock when desired.

The following is a description of what I consider the best means of carrying out the invention.

The accompanying drawings form a part of this specification.

Figure 1 is a section on the line 8 s in Fig. 3. Fig. 2 is a front view, and Fig. 3 a rear view.

'Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the figures.

A is a tastily-shaped ring of sheetmetal, which may be produced by spinning or drawing, or by a combination of the two processes. It is important that there be shoulders or supports, as shown, against which may rest the parts B O D. Bis the plate of glass, to afford the usual efficient and transparent protection for the hands. 0 is the face of the clock, performing, in addition to its usual functions, the important duty of supporting the works of the clock, which may be mounted in a metallic frame and bolted solidly thereto, as indicated. D is a thick back piece, recessed as shown. In the recesses are sunk the turning-button E, which is set on the end of the shaft of the minute-hand, and the turning-handle Gr, (preferably a stout hub, with two or other number of arms,) set firmly on the end of the windingshaft.

I have not deemed it necessary to represent the works of the clock, which may be of any ordinary character, with an actuating-spring and escapement analogous to that of a watch or chronometer.

Two pins, M M, inserted near the front of the clock, as shown, perform two important functions. One duty is to penetrate the thin metallic shell A and enter deeply into the face 0, and thereby form an efficient fastening for this important part. Another duty is to extend outward, as shown, to an extent just sufficient to form supports for the front of the clock when it sits on a mantel or the like. The clock thus rests on three feet or bearingpoints. One is the lower edge of the back, which should be considerably larger than the front of the clock. The other two feet are the ends of the pins M M. A ring or nut, Y, inclosed between the face 0 and the glass B, serves to hold the glass B firmly when the face 0 is properly confined by the pins M, and by a nail or suitable additional fastening, m. The recesses for the setting-button E and turninghandle G must be of sufficient depth to let the whole of the setting-button and the whole of the turning-handle each lie within its respective recess. They thus offer nothing projecting beyond the outer face of the back D, to prevent the clock from hanging fairly against any plane surface, as the wall of a room. The button E has preferably a neck with a square hole in it, which matches on the squared end of the minute-hand shaft 0. The turning-handle G is preferably formed with a screw-thread, and matches on a corresponding male thread on the projecting end of the winding-shaft 9. An adjusting-arm, H, is provided, turning on a center, which holds it with adjustable tightness sufficiently to maintain it stiffly wherever it is left. It performs the usual function of taking hold of the hair-spring and of increasing or diminishing its tension, as its bearing is moved out or in toward or from the fixed support of the hair-spring. The end of the lever H is turned outward, as indicated by h, and stands in a slot, d, in the backD of the clock; but the end h must not project beyond the outer face of the back. By reaching into the slot cl with a common pin or other convenient regulating means, the lever H may be set a little in either direction, to hasten or retard a clock. I J is a covering-plate, turning on a center, 2'. Its main body is of a form to cover the slot (1 when in a proper position, and to uncover it by being turned partially around.

J is a ring formed-on the covering-rplate,.-and

' which,when the cover is in position, stands beyond the edge of the clock, and forms a supporting-ring therefor. The turned-in rim at the front of the sheet-metal ring A performs an important function. I will designate it as A. The glass B is inserted from the ream-and is held firmlyin place by the distance-ring or; mat Y, which, in turn, is held forward against the glass B by the face 0, and, confining the latter by the fastenings M m, makes the Whole secure.

To get at the interior of the clock, the setting-button E and winding-handle Gelare removed from their respective shafts e g. Then, i on removing pins or other ordinary fastenin gs, the back D may be removed and the entire works exposed.-

Many modifications-maybe made in'the details by any good mechanic. The material :of l the face 0 and the back D may: be well-sea soned wood. I esteem itimportantthatthe recesses for the setting-button andthe winding-hub be sufficiently larger than those parts ing.

The metallic .portion A of the casingmay' be of soft brass, handsomely finished, and pref.- f

erably lacquered.

I claim-asmy invention-- a 1. The clock-case represented,-havinga gen-=;=

eral truncated conical form, with front legs M M performing the double function of confining means for the face and of legs to hold the clock upright, asherein specified.

I 2. The construction of the casing with the- .spumringiAandits turned-in front rim A, glass B, mat or distance-ring Y, and face 0, so

that the fastenings M m confine and release the whole, as herein specified.

3. A clock-case having the ring A and thick back D, with the attached setting-button E and; winding-handle: G recessed therein, as ;;herein specified.

4. In combination with the clock-case A and time'adjusting lever H h, the pivoted plate I, provided with an engaging-ring, J, adapted to cperform=the two functions of. removably cov-- ering the regulating-slot and of forming a suspension-ring for the clock, as herein specified.- o In testimony whereof :I have :hereunto-zset 1 my hand this 27th day of September, 1876,1in.

the presence'of two subscribing witnesses. I SETH. E. THOMAS.

Witnesses A. HENRY GENTNER, D. W. BRADLEY, 

